My name is Phil, grateful alcoholic.

For me, the Tenth Step is the first of the three maintenance Steps. Steps that I have to work every day for the rest of my life if I want to stay sober and I do. This is where, for me, AA became a way of life and not just a way to get sober. I cannot wait to take an inventory only at night. I cannot wait that long. I have to take it right as soon as I screw up. I have to immediately make amends or figure out why somebody is angering me. If I look hard enough, and sometimes that is difficult, I can usually find my piece in the situation. Something I said or did. I cannot afford to build resentments or let my anger get away from me. In the environment that I am in now, there is a lot of stress. I have gotten mad a lot in the last 10 months, but serving in a combat zone will do that. Therefore, I have had to work harder to maintain my serenity, sobriety and peace of mind. My sobriety is the most important thing above all else. I have learned humility in these rooms and, for me; this Step is about being humble. I have to be the best Phil that I can be. That, for me, includes looking myself in the mirror and trying to figure out, with God's help, what character defects that I need to work on, what amends I need to make and what resentments that I need to let go of. This is a great Step and I am grateful that I am sober today and can work it. It is a beautiful life in sobriety. For that, I am grateful. Thank you.

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